Troops get final marching orders

HEADING NORTH:

Photo by Ken Hay

The Ontario Hockey League rubber stamped a move to North Bay by the Brampton Battalion at the OHL Board of Governors meeting in Toronto on Monday. Giving a thumbs up to the move are OHL Commissioner David Branch, Battalion owner Scott Abbott, North Bay Mayor Al McDonald and team president Mike Griffin.

It’s official! There will be no Ontario Hockey League team in Brampton next season.
OHL Commissioner David Branch made the announcement on Monday afternoon following a Board of Governors Meeting in Toronto.
“It’s an exciting day for the City of North Bay,” said Branch in making the move to North Bay a reality. “It’s an honour and a privilege to announce that the Brampton Battalion will be relocating to North Bay for next season.”
OHL fans in northern Ontario lost their beloved Centennials 10 seasons ago and they weren’t about to let this opportunity to pass. They sold the required 2,000 season tickets in just six days, a requirement of an agreement-in-principle that was reached with the Battalion just two weeks ago.
Branch, who visited North Bay with Vice-president Ted Baker unannounced last Wednesday, said it was a combination of two things that led to the unanimous vote by the OHL Board of Governors.
“We got such a good feeling from the presentation by North Bay,” admitted the commissioner. “And we know what Mr. Abbott has done for this league.”
North Bay Mayor Al McDonald made the trek down along with North Bay CAO Jerry Knox, Managing Director of Community Services Peter Chirico and councillor Dave Mendicino to make a 20-minute presentation on behalf of the city.
And it didn’t take the board long to rubber stamp the move after they were finished answering a few questions.
“We never gave up the dream,” said McDonald of the quest for an OHL team. McDonald was head of the ‘Save the Centennial’s’ committee before they became the Saginaw Spirit.
“Personally, I’m happiest for the true hockey fans. This is a special day for me,” admitted McDonald. “As mayor, it will help bring prestigious business to North Bay. With the renovations to the Memorial Gardens (an estimated $12 million worth) we can have concerts and conventions and the fact that the cost was zero to the taxpayers makes it a win-win situation.”
For Battalion owner Scott Abbott, the move comes after 15 years of trying to make OHL hockey work in Brampton.
“The hockey fans from North Bay have been heard loud and clear,” said Abbott. “I’m pleased to be bringing OHL hockey back to North Bay.”
And while Abbott is pleased with the support that’s being shown by the North Bay fans, he feels for the Battalion faithful they are leaving behind in Brampton.
“They are loyal, dedicated, knowledgeable fans. I feel for them today,” added Abbott. “They’re just weren’t enough of them.”
Battalion team president Mike Griffin, a North Bay native, was pleased for his owner following the vote.
“I’m happy for Scott,” admitted Griffin. “And the board is happy for him. He’s endured a lot.”
According to Griffin, the Battalion has already begun the process in North Bay, hiring staff to get things started but he added that there is still a season to be played in Brampton.
“We’re still going to be active in Brampton,” said Griffin, noting that they will continue with the programs they have in place in Peel. “We’ll leave with our heads held high.”
One of the biggest concerns with the move was the renovations to the North Bay Memorial Gardens and if they could be completed in time.
“We’ve been assured that they can meet the renovation deadlines,” added Griffin. “The city has a very aggressive approach to get things done.”
That includes starting work sooner rather than later.
“It’s feasible if we start in January,” said Mayor McDonald. “A lot of the renovations won’t impact the use of the Gardens.”
If all goes according to plan, the North Bay Battalion will be ready to take up residency in their new quarters around mid-August.